GOKYO, CHO - LA (PASS)

AND KALA PATTAR TREK.

Grade             :                       4

Time Period   :                       20 Days.

Flights             :                       2 Ways.

Warning         :                       Altitude Sickness.

The Nepal Himalayas are best seen on this trek as one traces the main route through the Khumbu region from the Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar. The trekkers get a close view of the world's greatest mountain ranges including Mt. Everest and other himalayan peaks. Also, we visit the famous Gokyo Lakes and cross the Cho -la Pass (5040 m).

Features: 

A. Mountains:            The Khumbu Himal Range: Everest, Lhotse, Tamserku, Ama                                               Dablam, Nuptse, Tawatse, Kantega, Pumo-ri, etc.

B. Rivers:                   Bhote Kosi and Arun.

C. Ethnic villages & tribes: 

                                    Mostly Sherpas & Tibetans in villages like Namche, Thyangboche, Periche, Lobuche, Lukla, etc. with monasteries, chortens and Mani stones.

D. Forests:                  Of Rhododendron and Pine.

E. Landscapes:          Varying from temperate valleys to snow clad mountains.

Itinerary:

Day 01:           The flight from Kathmandu to Lukla (2880m) with snowline of the                                     Himalayan Range in the north and the rugged landing in Lukla                                      airport is said to be one of the most spectacular flight in the world. After a                                   short break the trek starts by following the trail leading northwest                                            which ultimately descends to the river at Phakding (2652m).

                        Overnight Camp at Phakding.

Day 02:           Namche Bazaar (3447 m). We follow the Bhote Koshi through the forest and pasture land, passing through small Sherpa settlements, crossing the Bhote Koshi and some steep climbs we reach the  large Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar. Near the half way point, view of Everest ( 8848 m) and Lhotse (8511 m) come into sight. This prosperous town is largest in Khumbu. Mt. Thamserku ( 6648 m) and Kwangde Ri (6624 m)            loom along the east and west of the village. The sacred mountain Khumbila (5707 m) dominates the skyline along the west. Duration of trek- 6 hours.

Day 03:           To assist with the process of acclimatization, a day is spent in Namche                                visiting the surrounding areas.

Day 04:           Thame (3801 m). Traverse westward with view of Kwangde (6343 m) and the waterfall cascading off its flanks. Follow the Bhote Kosi river as the sidehills high on its bank through the red and yellow rhododendron forest (in full blossom in May). Cross the river and look down the valley for the view of Mt.Thamserku ( 6648 m) and Kusum Kanguru (6370 m). Climb up to the village of Thame through the forest. Secluded village the birth place of Tenzing Norgay the first Sherpa to climb the Mount Everest.  - 6 hours.

Day 05:           Khumjung (3791 m). Walk back down the valley by the way of Thamo, a                         hill side nunnery. Take the high trail which by- passes the Namche and                                 drops into Khumjung. This is one of         the most beautiful village in the                                  Khumbu.  The duration of trek - 6 hours.

Day 06:           Dole (4040 m). The trail leads down past the school and the Khumjung                              village before dropping into the rhododendron scrub forest and then                                  towards an impregnable looking rock wall on the north side of the valley.                               A gaint's causeway of the granite step makes incredible route up the face                                 before the trail emerges the high grazing ground. One hour futher is a                                 charming chorten, from here you can tha magnificient view of the Ama                              Dablam (6856m), Kangtega  (6685m) and Thamserku (6648m) standing                               high above the meadows of the Thyangboche monastery. The trail drops                                quickly nearly all the way to the Dodh Kosi before leaving the route to                             Phortse. There is a good lunch spot set among the birch and rhododendron.                         The camp spot at Dole is reached after a stiff but attractive climb. Trek                               duration 6 hr. 

Day 07:           Phanga (4400 m) The first hour involves steady climbing before the trail                            contours to Luza (4370 m), a small grazing spot with potato fields. Phanga                    village is reached after a short climb from here. Duration of trek 51/2 hrs.

Day 08:           Gokyo Lake (4750m) A steady plod soon leads to the first of the Gokyo                           lakes and then to the main lake before reaching the camping ground for                                  lunch. Note :   Both the seventh and the eight day are short trek days in                                  order to get acclimatised with the altitude one is gaining.

Day 09:           Gokyo Ri (5483m) and Return. Unlike the Kala Pattar hill from Lobuche,

                        the foot of Gokyo Ri lies five minutes away from the stream the feeds the                          Gokyo Lake.

                         After two to three hours "huff and puff" you reach the summit not to be                            disappointed for your effort at all, as the views from here are well worth                            the effort you put in. Everest (8848m), showing more of it's northern flank                  than from Kala Pattar, with Makalu (8475m) futher to the east and Cho                              Oyu (8153m) towards the north make a mesmerizing view to watch.                                     Return             back to Gokyo Ri after spending a wonderful break at the                                       summit.    

Day 10:                       Above Chyugima (5040 m) The trail initially leads back south before leaving the main route, a short climb leads to the crossing of the jumbled moraine of the Ngo Zumba Glacier. Lunch at Dragnag. This hard scrabling    country offers various equally demanding routes until you reach the camp site tucked in below the pass. Duration of trek 5 1/2 hr.

Day 11:           Dzongla (4843 m). An early start is recommended. The route lies over the                          large, uncomfortable broken and scree before starting up the slab rock of                          the pass itself. Depending on the time of the year the the route to the                           summit snow field of the Chyugima La pass (5240m) may or may not be                              covered by snow. The decent starts gently before steeping down. The                                 broken ground route leads to the few stone huts, that makes up the Dzong                                     La.duration of trek 4 1/2 hr. 

Day 12:           Lobuche (4931 m). An ill- defined track traverses across to join the main                           trail coming up from Pheriche. On the way you can watch the beautiful                          view of the Mt. Cholatese (6442m) back on the west side of the route. A                                 steep ascend leads to the terminal moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. The                             stark and the rugged beauty creates almost a moonscape. The campsite                               at Lobuche is suitated at the wind swept valley with the enchanting views                          of the Tawatse (6501m) and Nuptse (7855m). 

Day 13:           Kala Pattar (5545 m) and Back. Early start is a must. Travel along the Khumbu Glacier through the jumbled moraines and scattered rocks. The climb to the Kala Pattar though tough is well worth it as the views from the is hearth taking. The Gaints of the earth are all around you, Pumori (7145m), Everest, The China's peak Changtse (7553m), Nuptse(7855m),Lhotse(8516m) Ama Dablam and many other peaks.

Day 14:           Dingboche (4350 m). The route passing through the moraines gradually                              loses altitude before reaching the windswept village of Pheriche. Here, the                      Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) has its Aid Post.

                        A climb over the ridge past Chortens and Main walls you reach the                                     Chukung valley and the prosperous village of Dingboche. This village                                     with their own irrigation scheme, is probably the place at higest altitude to                               grow crops.

Day 15:           Chukkung (4730m), the three or four scattered stone and slated huts        

                        provide in the summer months the base for good high ground grazing but  

                        during the rest of the year this huts are run as tea house for trekkers. The                            path from Dingboche is ill- defined but follows the main line of the valley                               ascending gently towards the Ama Dablam to the high ridge leading to the                        difficult Amphu Labtse Pass (5780m) on the right and the massive flank of                the Nuptse (7890m) on the left.

                        It takes two hours from Dingboche to reach Chukung and an early start                              would allow plenty of time to get a clear view of  the famous south face of                       Lhotse (8501m) towards the north and the Island Peak (6189m) the most                                   famous peak among the trekkers on the east end of the valley.

Day 16:           Thyangboche (3867m) Having been consistenly at high altitude above                               4200m most trekkers welcome the thought of returning to warmer, softer                           climbs and the days walk to Thyangboche is a delightful way of doing so.                                    The route starts back to Dingboche and through the long walled paths                          of the village, and a gradual ascent along the flanks of the hills below the                           village before a steep drop to the Dodh Koshi. A little futher the route                                joins the main trail coming from Pheriche. The route then passes through                               the village of Pangboche(3985m). Out here the Scalp of the Yeti which                                     travelled the world in the 60's is housed in the monstery high on the hill                                    side. The monastery lies more on the route to Phortse and is not easily                                 reached from the lower trail. A spectacular little bridge over the river leads                         into the fir and rhododendron forest and a lovely afternoon's walk with a                                 short climb before reaching Thyangboche. The duration of  trek is  6 hrs.

Day 17:           Thyangboche, rest day. The hard work of the trek being over now you can                                     spend the visiting the Monastery, this is the traditional place where all                                Everest Expeditions receive their blessings as they walk in towards the                                base camp. It is a classic setting with superb views back up the valley to                                 the Ama Dablam, and the Evetrest poking its south west face     over                             the huge ridgeline linking Nuptse and the Lhotse. At the rear is the                                                 beautiful west face of the Tamserku (6608m) and Kang Taiga (6685m).

Day 18:           Namche Bazaar, The decent to the Imja Khola and the small village of                              Phunki (3250m) with its water powered Prayer Wheels takes about one                               and half hour. The original bridge built by Sir Edmund Hillary was                                washed away when a flood caused by the land side from the Ama Dablam                           caused a flooding in this region. Cross the river over the smaller bridge                               and start the climb towards Khumjung. As the gradient lessens there are                             many beautiful lunch spots. After lunch start the trek towards Namche by                           following the path round the eastern flanks of the hills. At the rear is the                            beautiful west             face of the Thamserku (6608m) and Kang Taiga (6685m).

Day 19:           A long days walk back to Lukla passing through the village of Phakding.                           In the evening the Sherpa boys will prepare special farewell dinner. 

Day 20:           Early morning, fly Lukla / Kathmandu. Upon arrival, meet and transfer                               to the Hotel.

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